Case for tape-measures.



PATENTED SEPT. 22, 1903.

L. S. STARRBTT.

CASE FOR TAPE MEASURES. APPLIQ'ATIQN FILED MAY 1a, 1903.

H0 MODEL.

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UNITED STATES Patented September 22, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

LAROY S. STARRETT, OF ATHOL, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO L. S.

'STARRETT COMPANY, OF ATHOL, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORA- TION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

CASE FOR TAPE-MEASURES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 739,738, dated September 22, 1903.

Application filed May 13. 1903. Serial No. 156,970. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAROY S. STARRETT, of Athol, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cases for Tape- Measnres, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the class of tapemeasures having a thin steel graduated tapeline Wound on a rotatable drum inclosed in a suitable case.

My invention embodies an improved construction of the drum and casing, as hereinafter explained.

The characteristic feature of the device is that the two halves of the shellor casing are of annular form and substantial duplicates, each having a large central opening forming a bearing, and that the cylindrical drum extends through and rotates in both bearings, its ends having overlapping flanges covering said openings and interposed transverse connections uniting the parts of the drum firmly. The cap at one end of the drum is sunken Within the plane of that side of the casing and has a central depression to admit the broad head of the push-pin, which extends entirely through the case and opens the crankarm of the drum.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents the front side of the case, showing the handlearm opened for use. Fig. 2 shows the opposite side, partly broken away. Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1,

and Fig. 4 is a like section in a plane at right angles 'to that of Fig. 3. Fig. 5shows, mainly in section, the several parts disconnected, the stud-plate being shown on a larger scale in perspective in Fig. 6.

10 and 11 represent the respective sides of the shell or casing, each of a flattened cup shape and both united in a brazed or other peripheral seam. These sides are of the same size and shape, each being cut away marginally, as at 12, to form an opening for the passage of the measuring-tape. (Not shown.) Each side has a large circular opening, the edges of which are turned inwardly, as at 13, to format bearing for the drum on which the tape is secured and wound.

The winding-drum has a cylindrical body 14, a flat circular head 15 at one end, and a sunken circular cap 16 at the other end, such headand cap projecting marginally beyond the periphery of the body 14 and its bearings 13 in the case sides. The drnmhead 15 carries the winding-arm 17, hinged at one end to it, as in Figs. 1 and 3, by means of a pintle passing through a. loop 18-at that end and also through projecting cars 19, formed on a stud-plate 22, and thereby secured within the head. The head is recessed for the passage of these ears and also between them for the reception and turning of the arm-loop 18, these parts filling the recess closely and holding the stud-plate in place. The head has also a perforation 20 to receive the handle 21 when-the arm is folded, at which times the handle is held frictionally by a struck-up part of the drum. (See the curved dotted li ne,Fig. 3.) Within the head 15 the stud-plate 22 bears two transverse studs 23, to which the sunken cap 16 is secured by screws 2;, which thus unite the parts of the drum firmly and cause the marginal flanges of the head and cap to press suitably against the sides of the casing. (See Fig. 4.)

As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the sunken cap 16 has a central depression 29 to receive part of the push-button 25 on the end of a push-pin 26, which extends entirely through the case and serves by direct pressure on the arm 17 to release the handle and unfold or spread said arm for use. Thepush-pin has about centrally a broad collar 27 and a spring 28 between such collar and thehead or studplate 22. Inward pressure on the button 25 compresses the spring and protrudes the pin 26 against the inner face of arm 17, thus opening the arm, and when such pressure is relaxed the recoil of the spring holds the collar 27 against the depressed center of cap 16, the tip of the push-pin being flush with the outer face of head 15. The normal pressure is sulficient to prevent any rattling of the parts.

My invention, in which the drum-body extends through both sides of the case, should be distinguished from prior forms of tapecases, in which it extended through one side all rattling, and the sunken cap, with its integral central depression, permits use of a broad push-button, while the entire width of the device is red need, because the cap is sunken Within the end of the drum and the push-button within the cap. The full length of the drum is available for winding the tape on, While with the old form the drum was shorter than the width of the case, and there was no spring to prevent rattling.

I claim as my invention- 1. The similar annular sides joined peripherally to form a casing. having enlarged central openings of uniform diameter, in combination With the cylindrical drum mounted for rotationin said openings as its bearings and having rotatable end pieces extending radially beyond and overlapping said bearings, substantially as set forth.

2. The casing formed with similar sideshaving enlarged central openings the margins of which are turned inwardly to form circular bearings, in combination with the rotatable drum having its cylindrical body located in said bearings and its ends'unitcd byasecure transverse connection within said body, substantially as set forth.-

3. The casing formed with similar annular sides with central openings therein conforming to the cylindrical drum-body, in combination'with the rotatable drum having bearings in said openings, end plates overlapping said bearings, a stud-plate within the drum formed with ears projecting throughthe drumhead, a crank-arm pivoted thereon, transverse studs connecting the end plates and screws engaging such studs axially, substantially as set forth.

4. The casing formed with enlarged bearings for the drum-body in its two sides, in combination with a drum rotatable therein and having an end cap sunken within the plane of the casing side but overlapping the same marginally, such cap being formed with an integral central depression to admit the enlarged head of'the push-pin which is combined therewith, substantially as set forth.

5. The casing formed of two similar struckup parts properly joined, and a rotatable tapedrum therein having in one end an integral central depression, in combination with a handle-arm hinged to the other end of said drum, a push-pin therefor extending entirely through the drum, formed with an intermediate radial collar and provided with a recoilspring to obviate rattling, and a broad terminal push-button to enter said depression, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LAROY S. STARRETT.

Witnesses:

FRANK E. WING, WILLARD G. Nuts. 

